Oscar Brown Jr. hospitalized

[ghost of miles]

Doesn't sound good...

Legendary Singer, Songwriter, Playwright, Oscar Brown, Jr. Hospitalized

Industry attorney Jon Waxman reports to us that Chicago native, legendary

singer/songwriter, playwright, and true American musical treasure, Oscar

Brown, Jr., is in intensive care at St. Joseph Hospital in Chicago.  The

78-year-old veteran entertainer was recently admitted to the medical

facility in severe pain and reportedly has suffered paralysis to both of his

legs.  Brown underwent successful 14-hour emergency surgery on Monday, May

16th to stop the spread of an infection in his lower spine.  He is presently

listed in stable condition recovering from the surgery, however, his

prognosis remains uncertain as of this time.

Oscar Brown, Jr. is hailed as a cultural icon and Civil Rights activist,

noted for his classic compositions including, The Snake, Signifyin' Monkey

and his lyrics for Miles Davis' All Blues, Bobby Timmons' 'Dat 'Dere, and

Nat Adderley's, Work Song. Early in Brown's career, he hosted Steve Allen's

Jazz Scene USA and the PBS series From Jump Street/The History of Black

Music.  Brown has mentored several aspiring young performers and in 1968

hosted a Gary, Indiana talent show that led to his discovery of The Jackson

Five and singer/actor Avery Brooks.  In 1969, Brown is credited for

rewriting the comedy production Big Time Buck White, and his musical version

of the show was presented on Broadway, featuring former heavyweight champion

Muhammad Ali in the lead role.

    The Brown family requests "Prayers" from his Global family at this time

and will provide a formal statement following his recovery period.  For

information about Mr. Brown and to send to him any personal messages you may

have, please visit his web site at http://www.oscarbrownjr.com, which will

also accept messages for Oscar.  Good wishes from all of you will go a long

way to help aid in his recovery.

[chris olivarez]

What a drag. I hope that he recovers.

[JSngry]

Hope he's still cool.

[Cali]

[ghost of miles]

An update via another board and posted to Jazz Corner:

[from a good source on the yellowdog chat board]

Oscar Brown's blood infection has improved and he is due to be

released from the hospital in a few days, however he'll be in rehab for a

few weeks.

Sounds better!

[Cyril]

RIP Oscar Brown Jr

CHICAGO (AP)

Oscar Brown Jr., a songwriter who composed lyrics for Miles Davis and shared billings with other jazz greats, died Sunday after a brief illness. He was 78.

Brown was hospitalized in mid-April after emergency surgery to stop the spread of an infection in his lower spine. His niece, Lauren Hudson, said her uncle had been released from the hospital but was readmitted about two weeks ago. He died at Saint Joseph Hospital from complications of the illness.

Brown was known for his compositions ''The Snake,'' ''Signifyin' Monkey'' and his lyrics for Miles Davis' ''All Blues.'' Early in his career, Brown shared bills with jazz greats such as Dizzy Gillespie and John Coltrane.

Brown, who was active in the civil rights movement in the 1960s, also ran and lost twice for political office -- first for the Illinois legislature and later for a seat in the U.S. Congress

Oscar Brown Jr. become a legendary recording artist - as both a singer and a songwriter. At age15, Oscar made his professional debut in the national radio series, Secret City. And by 21, Oscar had become the first to broadcast new about "America's largest minority" during his daily Negro Newsfront radio program.

During this period, Oscar attempted two unsuccessful bids to hold political office - first for the Illinois State Legislature and then for Congress. It was during this time that Oscar also began seriously composing songs, which he had previously only done as a hobby. Efforts by his father to steer his son into a business career provided to be unsuccessful. Oscar Brown Sr. was a prosperous South Side attorney and real estate broker.

At the 1958, Chicago opening of A Raisin in the Sun, Oscar Brown Jr. met Robert Nemiroff, a professional manager of a New York music-publishing firm. Nemiroff brought Oscar to the attention of Columbia Records. Soon afterwards, Oscar signed a recording contract and his career as a singer was launched.

While recording his first album, Sin and Soul, Oscar also signed with Nemiroff to produce Kicks & Company. This ambitious musical was crafted during the period when Oscar was supposed to be trying to sell real estate.

Upon the 1960 release of Sin and Soul, Oscar Brown Jr. began a new life. Producer Al Ham left Columbia Records to become Oscar's first manager. Together, they secured an engagement at the Village Vanguard in New York City and Oscar was an overnight sensation - rarely had an artist burst on the entertainment scene to such acclaim.

By then, the aspiring young playwright was presenting Kicks and Company. All of these efforts culminated in an unprecedented two-hour appearance on NBC at the invitation of Today Show host Dave Garroway.

Although Kicks and Company never made it to Broadway, Oscar Brown Jr. was no longer an unknown. He was now listed as a playwright in America's publication of "Who's...Who." Oscar began sharing the bill with such greats as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, John Coltrane, and Cannonball Adderly.

These appearances earned him great critical acclaim from coast to coast.

His one-man show, Oscar Brown Jr. Entertains, resulted in his being hailed: "A musical genius…", “…the high priest of hip…" and "…all the great ones rolled in to one.”

[king ubu]

Oh no!

Will give this one a spin again soon - loved it ever since I first heard it:

[sidewinder]

Very sad - I'm sorry to hear this, RIP.

I was just recently watching one of those 'Jazz Scene' DVDs of the show hosted by Oscar. I much enjoyed his infectious enthusiasm for the music.

[White Lightning]

Very sad news. RIP

[Jazz Kat]

Sad news!1 I love his playing!

[JSngry]

Hope he's still cool.

←

Again. I suspect he is.

[chris olivarez]

RIP

[Brownian Motion]

My sister bought me a copy of "Sin and Soul" back when it first came out, and I, age 13, thought it was the hippest thing I'd ever heard. I bought OB's next couple of albums, but they never seemed to quite measure up to the brilliance of his first. His career had a unusual trajectory, but he was a gifted musician. He'll be missed.

[ghost of miles]

Very sad news... thought he was on the rebound. He's always been a personal favorite of mine.

[Noj]

Sad to read he's gone, I'm a fan. I've got Sin & Soul on vinyl and several other scattered tracks. RIP.

[trane_fanatic]

He was scheduled to play the finale of the SFJAZZ festival with Paula West on June 26. They replaced him w/ Andy Bey at the last minute though probably because of his health. RIP.

[sheldonm]

...very sad indeed ! I have several of the Jazz Scene USA programs and love him on those as well as his many recordings.

Mark

[Jazzmoose]

I knew he was sick, but....

A man who made his life count!

[BFrank]

I've had a copy of "Between Heaven & Hell" for years. Always thought it was a super-cool album. Don't know why it's not on CD - except for a few alternate cuts that show up as "unreleased bonuses" on the "Sin & Soul ... and then some" CD.

Well..........RIP, OB.

[mikeweil]

R.I.P. - I feel like acting the charcater in "But I was cool" .... many of his lyrics are priceless. What a loss to the vocal/lyrics scene!

[BFrank]

Anyone familiar with "Tells It Like It Is!/In a New Mood..." on Collectables?

Looks like a good way to get these otherwise OOP albums. Is the mastering OK?

[Ragu]

Anyone familiar with "Tells It Like It Is!/In a New Mood..." on Collectables?

Looks like a good way to get these otherwise OOP albums. Is the mastering OK?

←

The mastering is OK, but just OK, not noteworthy. Get it for the music and his voice.